Invaders Introduced Passport Control at Entrance to Crimean Bridge

25 January, 2025 The Crimean bridge. Photo from open sources Passport control has been introduced on the Crimean Bridge towards the occupied Crimea.

The Russian Special Services are conducting so-called anti-terrorist measures, according to an official of the occupation authorities, Oleksandr Ovdienko. The passport control is carried out by the Russian Interior Ministry. Also, certain models of small trucks are prohibited from crossing the bridge.

In the areas adjacent to the bridge in the occupied Crimea, training was held for units, including "Bars-Krym" and other units of the Russian military group stationed on the peninsula. According to local propaganda resources, the exercises were aimed at countering the infiltration of saboteur groups. "Prepare original documents for a quick manual inspection," Russian invader Ovdienko stated.

The Russian authorities are often concerned about the security of the Kerch Bridge against the backdrop of Ukraine's increasing capabilities to destroy it. The bridge crossing connects the annexed Crimea with the territory of Russia - the Kerch and Taman peninsulas through the island of Tuzla and the Tuzla Spit. It consists of two parallel bridges - a road bridge and a railroad bridge.

The Kerch Bridge is used by Russia to supply its troops during a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Security Service of Ukraine has bombed the bridge several times.

Damage to the Crimean Bridge, July 17, 2023. Photo credits: Baza

On October 8, 2022, an explosion occurred on the bridge, causing the collapse of two highway spans and a severe fire on the railroad part of the bridge, and on July 17, 2023, a second explosion destroyed one of the highway spans.

However, to completely disable the bridge, either several piers in the eastern or central part or one of the piers supporting the archway in the western part would need to be severely damaged.